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Distinguished Co-Chairs,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the G4: Brazil, India, Japan and my own country, Germany.

For decades, the IGN has not made any real progress, but we have now reached an important point. Three years ago, the IGN agreed to move towards concrete discussions of reform models. Today, we have crossed an important threshold: Now that the African Group has finally presented its reform model, we can move on to take the next step together. We now have before us all the essential elements to develop a consolidated model, as agreed by all in the Pact for the Future, on the basis of models presented by Member States thus far.

As the G4, we fully support the African model. We share the same objective: a meaningful reform of the Council that reflects today’s geopolitical realities. We share the same vision for Council reform, which must include an expansion of membership in both the permanent and the non-permanent categories. Both models address the urgent need to redress the historical injustice against Africa and improve the representation of the underrepresented and unrepresented regions in the Security Council.

We also note that Africa’s model envisioning a Council of “not less than 26” members is compatible with the G4’s model. The African and G4 proposals of enhancing transparency and participation in the work of the Council are converging, too.

Even on the issue of veto, our position and that of the African Group are also aligned in that new permanent members should, as a principle, have the same responsibilities and obligations as current ones.

This alignment is politically very significant. It is a powerful confirmation of the broad convergence that exists among many Member States: a clear majority supports expansion in both categories not only Africa and the G4, but also L.69, CARICOM, the Arab Group, the Benelux and the Nordics.

The direction of the Membership is clear and their desire real.

For this very reason, this convergence must now be translated into concrete progress. We cannot continue to circle around established positions forever without trying to achieve progress. The time has come to develop, without further delay, a consolidated model on the basis of Member State proposals that have been presented in the IGN. The consolidated model must faithfully reflect the very strong support for enlargement in both categories, including the rightful representation of Africa, alongside other unrepresented and under-represented regions in the permanent category. This must be a precursor to Text-based negotiations.

I thank you.